No. My father has had my KX trouble free for a year or two now. Been meaning to pick up an autoknips for a fair number of my older cams that don't have a timer. This entire thread reminded me to finally do it.

No. My father has had my KX trouble free for a year or two now. Been meaning to pick up an autoknips for a fair number of my older cams that don't have a timer. This entire thread reminded me to finally do it.

If you need a self timer for low vibration release then you need a SLR that flips the mirror at release then runs timer and takes the shot later when the mirror vibration has died away.

The main problem with K1000's is the variation in versions over its long production run.

The MIJ first ones were as well built as a KM and are good "featureless" cameras. (Though I still don't like them very much)
The build quality went down hill fast to the end MIC ones, that were mostly plastic junk.

When you see a K1000 for sale they are mostly all lumped together price wise, unless you can see which version you are getting in the online ad I would avoid buying one altogether.

The main problem with K1000's is the variation in versions over its long production run.

The MIJ first ones were as well built as a KM and are good "featureless" cameras. (Though I still don't like them very much)
The build quality went down hill fast to the end MIC ones, that were mostly plastic junk.

When you see a K1000 for sale they are mostly all lumped together price wise, unless you can see which version you are getting in the online ad I would avoid buying one altogether.

So in the end get a KM or KX, only one MIJ version existed.

Phil.

The OP wanted advice on buying a film camera...

Always inspect physically is the golden rule...
I've only seen one MIJ K1000 and it was not worth buying,...
Both mine are MIC they both suffer from stiff wind on but have otherwise been reliable and have seen physical abuse.

The ME Super would be one to consider for a beginner because it offer both Av & manual. The LEDs are easy to see and understand, the buttons offer quick shutter changes. It does lack DOF, but normally a beginner wouldn't use it anyway. More importantly, they are plentiful and fairly inexpensive.

Some random thoughts having just gone through the search for the right film camera(s)

A little window into the inflated price and popularity of the K1000, as told by the up-to-date used inventory price list at a shop nearby to me...

All of these are CLA'd before sale and do not include glass.

I don't see these as inflated prices for 2016 on a classic camera that is slowly vanishing and has been CLA'd by a retail shop. Like cars or any retail outlet, they do need to pay rent, employees, insurance, utilities, etc, and can't compete price wise with
private party internet sales in which there is much more risk. It also means the original owners that sold those cameras may have gotten a little better deal from the shop as a trade-in or outright sale. If KEH is cheaper, it's because of their volume and their probably offering less credit to the seller.

Whenever there is a steal or deal, it's exactly that, and those retail used prices are fair, not any more inflated than the price of most used items that have been "pre-owned" but cleaned up and tested by a dealership. Wouldn't it be great if there were a Kelley Blue Book for cameras with categories like Used, Trade-in, New, and then you could enter your zip code, actuations/shutter count, condition, special features, etc?

I don't see these as inflated prices for 2016 on a classic camera that is slowly vanishing and has been CLA'd by a retail shop. Like cars or any retail outlet, they do need to pay rent, employees, insurance, utilities, etc, and can't compete price wise with
private party internet sales in which there is much more risk. It also means the original owners that sold those cameras may have gotten a little better deal from the shop as a trade-in or outright sale. If KEH is cheaper, it's because of their volume and their probably offering less credit to the seller.

Whenever there is a steal or deal, it's exactly that, and those retail used prices are fair, not any more inflated than the price of most used items that have been "pre-owned" but cleaned up and tested by a dealership. Wouldn't it be great if there were a Kelley Blue Book for cameras with categories like Used, Trade-in, New, and then you could enter your zip code, actuations/shutter count, condition, special features, etc?

You misunderstand me. I fully appreciate and expect the mark-up over "private sale" pricing. (These guys do pretty good work and stand behind each camera they service and sell.)
I was merely pointing out the number of K1000 bodies available and the higher price they command over EVERY other Pentax body in the inventory.

The ME Super would be one to consider for a beginner because it offer both Av & manual. The LEDs are easy to see and understand, the buttons offer quick shutter changes. It does lack DOF, but normally a beginner wouldn't use it anyway. More importantly, they are plentiful and fairly inexpensive.

Some random thoughts having just gone through the search for the right film camera(s)

I disagree with you. You point to exactly the two things I didn't like with my ME Super. The buttons made changing shutter speed a fiddly operation. I really regretted that it didn't have a wheel instead, and usually chose to use the auto mode.

The other thing I missed, especially when I was a beginner, was the DOF preview. IMO the possibility to see what changing the aperture is doing with the DOF is more important for a beginner than for a more experienced photographer.

It was pure coincidence that I happened to buy a Pentax ME Super. I just found it on a shelf along with other used equipment in a camera store back in 1990 or something. I knew nothing about Pentax or any other camera maker back then, and was lucky that I found a quality camera, and not happebed to buy a piece of junk.

If I'd had the opportunities that the internet is giving me with searching around the world for the best alternative, I'd probably go for a KX or KM, like some here have recommended.

I disagree with you. You point to exactly the two things I didn't like with my ME Super. The buttons made changing shutter speed a fiddly operation. I really regretted that it didn't have a wheel instead, and usually chose to use the auto mode. The other thing I missed, especially when I was a beginner, was the DOF preview. IMO the possibility to see what changing the aperture is doing with the DOF is more important for a beginner than for a more experienced photographer. It was pure coincidence that I happened to buy a Pentax ME Super. I just found it on a shelf along with other used equipment in a camera store back in 1990 or something. I knew nothing about Pentax or any other camera maker back then, and was lucky that I found a quality camera, and not happebed to buy a piece of junk. If I'd had the opportunities that the internet is giving me with searching around the world for the best alternative, I'd probably go for a KX or KM, like some here have recommended.

My thoughts were based on from recently wanting to get back into film, knowing little about Pentax SLR's and searching for the one that fit my style. Starting with a KX in Dec, then 2 MXs and recently a ME Super & Super Program. The KX and a MX needed to be overhauled, the prism was cracked in the KX. So have way more into them than their worth. The others just needed CLA, seals/bumper replaced. So the problem with suggesting a KX is finding one in decent shape or parts to have it repaired and keep in mind there wasn't a lot of KX's made compared to the later M series cameras. I got lucky that Advanced Camera had the parts and a great tech to repair it.
I agree, the KX is a fine camera, but maybe not something a beginner wants to spend the money and time acquiring - the reason for my suggest. The ME Super seems easier to find, considerably less expensive and usually in working condition just needing the light seals & mirror bumper replaced. DOF is a good feature, but not necessary for good photos.

FWIW, my favorite right now is the ME Super & FA43......to each his own

I'm no expert, but again just my thoughts on trying to find the one to learn with......

You misunderstand me. I fully appreciate and expect the mark-up over "private sale" pricing. (These guys do pretty good work and stand behind each camera they service and sell.)
I was merely pointing out the number of K1000 bodies available and the higher price they command over EVERY other Pentax body in the inventory.

I see...yes, I agree with you. Back in the day, the K1000 was my go to camera whenever roughing it in the desert, mountains, etc. I over-reacted to the word "inflated" (prices).